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CarComplaints.com Notes: Most people need a car where the coil springs don't puncture or shred tires while driving. The Taurus fails in that respect.

The 1999-2003 Ford Taurus has a huge problem with coil springs breaking, which can puncture or even shred tires while driving.

The US government spent THREE YEARS (2008-2011) investigating the 2002-2003 Taurus coil springs. Although Taurus/Sable from earlier years were recalled, ultimately the NHTSA did not force a recall. They determined that because there had been no deaths & very few bad crashes & injuries, the broken coil springs defect was no big deal & not a safety defect. Tell that to all the owners who had close calls...

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
100,218 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2002 Ford Taurus suspension problems

suspension problem

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2002 Ford Taurus Owner Comments (Page 3 of 8)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #115

Jan 272013

Taurus

  • 90,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2002 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that while reversing at approximately 5 mph, the front driver's side tire blew. The contact exited the vehicle and discovered that the tire was shredded. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The mechanic stated that the coil springs fractured and punctured the tire. The mechanic advised that the coil springs, struts and sway bars needed replacing. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure and current mileage was 90,000.

- Milwaukee, WI, USA

problem #114

Jan 262013

Taurus 6-cyl

  • 95,116 miles
Left front coil spring came loose and shredded tire on 2002 Ford Taurus wagon with 95,116 miles. Ford customer service representatives [xxx] said that this failure was not related to NHTSA recall 04V33200 for defective coil springs on 1999-2001 Ford Taurus. Ford refused to pay for the repair. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- State College, PA, USA

problem #113

Jan 022013

Taurus

  • 160,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that while reversing, he heard a loud noise. Upon inspection, it was found that the front passenger side coil spring had failed, puncturing the tire. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was contacted about the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileages were 160,000.

- Windber , PA, USA

problem #112

Dec 102012

Taurus 6-cyl

  • 126,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2002 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that while driving approximately 5 mph, the front driver's side tire had become flat. The contact exited the vehicle and discovered that the tire was shredded. The vehicle was later to towed to an independent mechanic where they advised that the coil springs were fractured, puncturing the tire. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and offered no assistance. The failure and current mileages were approximately 126,000. Updated 05/23/13 05/31/2013

- Lansing, MI, USA

problem #111

Dec 042012

Taurus 6-cyl

  • 109,290 miles
While backing my car out of the driveway, I heard a loud pop, followed by a hissing sound in my front left tire (the drivers side). I thought I ran over a nail and immediately stopped to investigate. Seeing just a flat tire I tried pulling back into the driveway to change the tire, however the car would not move. I investigated further and discovered the spring had broken and was impaled in my recently purchased new tire! I hate to think what would have happened if I was driving at highway speeds - I would have lost all control and probably would have had a very serious accident!!! I noted many complaints have been filed and there was a recall on the front springs on Ford taursus' ending in 2001. I strongly urge the NHTSA to please extend that recall to include the newer Ford Taurus' that seem to still experience this extremely dangerous and potentially deadly defect. How many lives have to be lost or property damaged before Ford is held responsible?

- Hewitt, NJ, USA

problem #110

Aug 012012

Taurus

  • 125,000 miles
I was told that my Taurus' rear coil springs were broken and could puncture my tire. After noticing that my car was very low in the rear, I took it in to get an estimate. To just fix the back it would be around $800, which is ridiculous for what my car is worth. It is 10 years old and has numerous other problems. After doing some research, I found that this is a common problem in Ford cars, and a big problem in Taurus'. so much that there was a recall on previous years, but not on the 2002. I have read numerous complaints from other 2002 Taurus owners about the same problem, but no remedy from the company. If this is a common problem, why not fix it in all models it affects? I would rather not die in a car crash in order to get my point across to the company about this ongoing problem. Regardless of the numerous electrical problems I have had prior, I still considered getting another Ford when it was time to buy a new car. However, with this fiasco, I am now absolutely certain I will never buy another Ford again, and never positively comment on Ford cars.

- Peoria, IL, USA

problem #109

Oct 252012

Taurus 6-cyl

  • 85,541 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Left front spring broke and punctured the tire and a link.

- Midland, MI, USA

problem #108

Jul 122012

Taurus 6-cyl

  • 122,000 miles
I noticed the rear of the car sitting low. Upon inspection it was found both rear springs were fractured, and fracture was very near tire.

- Plainfield, IL, USA

problem #107

May 172011

Taurus 6-cyl

  • 168,000 miles
Happened while the vehicle was parked in garage; heard a loud sound and suspected the coil spring suspension, since I knew about this problem from previous owner complaints from this website. Left coil spring broke and tore a big gash on tire and went flat. Called Ford dealer in dearborn, mi and they told it was covered as a recall; towed my car out there and they changed their story and told this VIN was not covered and 2001 model year was. What a joke. Promptly, I towed it out of there (did not want to give them anymore business) and got it replaced outside. Cant believe Ford does not want to acknowledge this problem even though it is a extremely dangerous situation especially while driving at high speeds and can happen to any of the coils. Very bad quality steel used in coil spring and problem seems to be prevalent in salt-belt states. Even the tow-truck driver was casual about it saying he is seeing it too often (especially with cars with high miles). Ford has lost a possible future customer and switching over to a quality oem from now on. Bye bye Ford.

- F Hills, MI, USA

problem #106

Jun 062012

Taurus 6-cyl

  • 96,700 miles
I was driving down the road (garden state parkway) and all of sudden, my front right tire got completely flat at full speed. After towing truck came and changed the spare tire on. Five minutes later, the front left tire went totally flat. The repair shop told me both front coils failed and needed to be replaced.

- Langhorne, PA, USA

problem #105

Apr 172012

Taurus 6-cyl

  • 68,500 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The vehicle left the driveway and approximately 30 seconds later the front right front spring broke, coming out of its normal position, uncoiling, the sharp edge of the spring contacting the front right tire, ripping an approximate 24 inch tear in the tire causing instant tire deflation. The incident occurred at approximately 25 mph.

- Mantua, OH, USA

problem #104

Mar 232012

Taurus 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 100,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Taurus. While driving approximately 20 mph the contact heard a loud popping sound and noticed the drivers side tire was flat. The contact was unable to control the vehicle and it crashed into a curb. The contact replaced the flat tire with the spare tire. The vehicle was taken to a tire shop where the mechanic stated the front coil spring fractured and had to be replaced. There was a voluntary recall for the failure but the manufacturer stated the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000. Updated 5/11/12

- Streamwood, IL, USA

problem #103

Feb 292012

Taurus

  • 136,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Taurus. While parked, the contact noticed that the front driver's side tire had become flat. The contact inspected the vehicle and noticed that the front coil spring was fractured and had punctured the tire. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostics or repairs. The approximate failure mileage was 136,000.

- Warren, PA, USA

problem #102

Feb 232012

Taurus

  • 65,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that after getting into her vehicle and starting, she heard a loud noise. After inspecting the vehicle she noticed that the coil springs on the front driver's side were fractured and had punctured the tire. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where they advised her that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign id number 04V332000 (suspension:front:springs:coil springs). The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and they offered no assistance. The failure and current mileages were approximately 65,000.

- White Haven , PA, USA

problem #101

Feb 032012

Taurus 6-cyl

  • 82,000 miles
Had a front spring break a 83000 and a rear spring at 135567 both on driver side total cost of repairs was 900 $$$.

- Huntington, IN, USA

problem #100

Feb 142012

Taurus 6-cyl

  • miles
Front left coil spring broke and tore up tire.

- Frankenmuth, MI, USA

problem #99

Jan 282012

Taurus

  • 126,000 miles
Driver side coil spring broke and cut into tire deflating it. Smoke from wheel-well backed up traffic - limped to a side street on flat tire. Replaced coil spring and tire. Really worried about serious accident should other spring break on highway at higher speed. I don't understand why this has not been a recall item especially since these are the same coil springs as on the '01 model for which there was a recall.

- Harrisburg, PA, USA

problem #98

Jan 272012

Taurus 6-cyl

  • 35,200 miles
On approximately 01-27-12 we noticed vehicle was not riding smoothly. Vehicle was brought to Ford Agency on 02-06-12 where vehicle was originally purchased on 10-11-02. We were informed that both rear coil springs had to be replaced at a cost of $550.72 which we agreed to. Mileage on 02-06-12 was 35,373. This current report is preceded by our ODI number 10260740 filed on 03-04-09 reporting failure of our front end coil springs replaced at a cost of $617.71.

- Peabody, MA, USA

problem #97

Feb 052012

Taurus 6-cyl

  • 89,000 miles
Started vehicle, put foot on brake and put into drive. As soon as the vehicle began to move forward, there was a loud bang. The left front of the vehicle nosed down, and I stopped. Inspection of vehicle showed broken left front spring.

- Grand Blanc, MI, USA

problem #96

Jan 232012

Taurus 6-cyl

  • 183,000 miles
Backing out of parking space heard noise and then the right front tire blew out. After removing the tire found that the coil spring had fractured and punctured the tire.

- Mt Gilead, OH, USA

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